Colors of Viti Levu Island - traditions, festivals, mentality and lifestyle

Native Fijians are proud of their history and their ancestors and they are not ashamed of those stringent rules that prevailed here on the island before Europeans reached the land. Moreover, locals have a positive attitude towards tourists and they don’t percept them as a money source. Natives are glad to show travelers anything they’d like to see – but only if they follow local rules. Unfortunately, it’s not the same about Indians and Hindu-Fijian people who also inhabit the island. Indian revenants are attracted by tourists who come to Suava and Nadi, as they’re like a nice opportunity to earn some money and, that is more, the revenants act sometimes a bit aggressive.

Tips here are on the average 10-15% and they’re not obligatory. It’s about touristic areas; tips are a rather strange thing in the rest are of the island, especially in the places where native Fijians live. A thank for help out of job description would be really appropriate.

You’re likely not to have any troubles with communication here. There’re two official languages on the island, almost everybody speaks English as well as Fijian. However, if you visit local villages, you’ll need to find an interpreter among locals. Bula is how people here greet each other. Only tourists use hello. Vinaka or Vinaka vaka levu is for thank you. To express happiness, say Au maru vakalevu meaning I’m so happy. In addition, keep in mind while communicating that a scream is understood as an aggressive behaviour here on Viti Levu, so it’s better to control yourself on this point, even if you annoyed by a rather intrusive trader. On the other hand, it’s pretty normal here to express emotions, particularly in public places. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

In case you’d like to see how native Fijians live, go to any local village. Still, don’t forget that locals don’t approve when travellers come to them wearing shorts or a tracksuit. It’s believed here Viti Levu that there is no need to show that much skin, even though it’s always pretty hot on the island. And one more essential thing: only a chief of a tribe can wear hats.

If you a guest in somebody’s house, bring a small gift to a master and surely accept a gift in return. Entering a house, take off your shoes. Moreover, you’ll be very likely invited for a traditional dinner. There will be no special ceremony, people just sit in a down on a mat around various dishes. First locals give food to guests, then to elderlies, then to men and kids, and then to women. You’ll have a chance to try cava while being surrounded by locals. It contains no alcohol but still very cheering. People drink it sitting in a circle, patting each other on backs, singing ritual songs, and scooping the beverage from a shared bowl.

If you’ll actually get interested in local traditions, then you might have a chance to attend a truly sacred ritual as a conventional thing, not touristic attraction. Moreover, you can participate in traditional dances. Men will have to learn how to hold a shield and a spear to dance military sibi or meke. The women variation of dance was used to crush captives’ spirits, so it reflects vibes of latent threat even now. Locals also like dancing during New Year ceremonies.

Celebrations can actually last from a week to a whole month here. Fireworks, ritual drums, Hawaiian mandolins, flamboyant Fijian costumes, and dance moves that combine traditions and modern vibes – it’ll definitely blow you away. The Chinese community in the capital celebrate their New Year with a bang. Hindus celebrate flowers festival in February and March, then at the beginning of April, all jazz lovers go to Nadi for the international Coral Cost. Easter night is marked by international regatta and greatly celebrated by locals who are mostly Christians. Then, they celebrate Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day dedicated to the most famous local political and public figure. They celebrate it with sports competitions, theatre performances and diverse concerts. ANZ art exhibition is held in June in the capital, then there is the Hibiscus Festival in July – August with fest marches and special ceremony where people choose the next Ms. Hibiscus. In Nadi, the celebration takes place at the end of July. There are rugby tournament and Methodist Choir festival at the end of August in the capital city too. Locals have a special celebration in honour of Lakshmi in October – November, in December – everybody has fun at the carnival.